celebrating handmade

I signed up for this swap awhile back and was lucky enough to be paired up with the loveliest crafter – Ella – who has an equally lovely business - Little Red Caboose.  We are the lucky recipients of this lovely girl and felt crown. Stella is quite taken with the doll and has been sleeping with her, and has also insisted on wearing the crown over her winter hat when we go out.

( This photo is by Ella)

 

Everything about this package was delightful – Ella sent it all wrapped up beautifully – tied with baker’s twine, her card and cute little wooden buttons in the shape of a crown and a matroshka doll. Very adorable and the gifts are stunning! They couldn’t have been more perfect!  I am also glad that the swap led me to your blog, which I have been enjoying immensely, and which I highly recommend. Thank you so much Ella!

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off to deliver some Valentine love

A day late. but I wanted to send some Valentine’s cuteness your way. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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new to me

These two absolutely had to come home with me, even though I felt they were overpriced at $4.99 each – I couldn’t resist.

This was more in my preferred thrifting budget – 99 cents. It is a nice size, but I still haven’t found the perfect spot for it. I don’t have much blue in my house, but I couldn’t walk away from this one either.

This sweet apron was also a steal, and I love it. The red and blue combination with the kitschy print just kills me.

I posted awhile back about how much I was digging (har!) mushrooms lately, and I was also in need of some new S& P shakers so this was meant to be. I am tempted to repaint the little dots on the mushrooms a nice bright white, but other than that I am so happy with this little find.

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One another, much less frivolous topic – I have donated a listing to this worthy cause in support of the people affected by the Australian bushfires. 100% of the proceeds from this listing will be donated to the Australian Red Cross. If you want to make a cash donation you can do that here.

 

 

 

 

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red is best

One of my thrifting finds last week was this great skirt. I fell in love with the pear print and had to have it. I think it is much happier now as a dress for Stella. I have been making dresses from skirts for a long time now – experimenting along the way – but with this dress I finally felt like I hit on a technique that worked perfectly for me. No swearing, no tearing stitches out, no wasting time, and it fit perfectly. The little tights she is wearing are warmies from the same thrifting run. I love it when I can find small ribbed sweaters in solid colours. Stella is so tiny that it is hard to make sweater pants for her that fit like tights. I love the way the bigger ones look, but I do like to use the smaller ones as tights under dresses, especially in winter.

I am uploading more sweater tights into the shop today, and hopefully some dresses this weekend. I attempted a model session with Stella but she wasn’t so much into standing still. She was all right for these dress pictures, but it quickly turned into a spin around in circles, jump up and down while shouting ” I wike to MOVE IT MOVE IT”  kind of session and I am not so into that.

These are some of the photos I ended up with. I am still struggling to get the perfect lighting with it being so dark out all the time. I keep ending up with shadows and a weird white balance, even when my camera is telling me it is the right settings. (Oh Film…sometimes I do miss you so.) These aren’t even close to what I am trying for, but for now they will have to do. Any tips for me would be totally appreciated!

These will all be listed today or tonight in my shop. Have a great weekend lovelies! Hope some crafting time finds its way to you (and me).

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new and improved

 

 

So far, Stella has been on the quieter side personality wise. She talks a lot, but she isn’t rambunctious or even really silly most of the time. In the last month  though, a whole new side of her has come out of hiding. She is turning into quite the ham – she loves to watch herself in the video camera screen, and is starting to repeat things that get a laugh. She is starting to crack jokes, and is often giggling at herself. It makes for a lot more laughter around here, and I am definitely enjoying this phase.

Tonight she was jumping off the couch and giggling like crazy after each little tumble she took. I said to Will ” I love it when she cracks herself up.” Then a few minutes later, she really got a fit of the giggles and I asked her what was so funny. She says ” I just cwacking myself up cuz I so funny!”

Yes Stella….you are so funny. My funny little Stellaroo. I hope you always can crack yourself up!

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sewing with nature…

CRAFT Magazine and Singer have another contest going on, and I thought I would try again. The wording for the contest requirements was rather vague, but this is how I interpreted “natural elements.” It being January the natural elements currently available to me are pretty limited, but I am happy with how it came out. If nothing else, I have a nice wall hanging now.

I have it hanging under my mantel, and while I was taking pictures of it, I got inspired to re-work my mantel display.

The owl stickers were a $5 Field’s special, the photos are from the Europe trip Will and I took pre-Stella. The Guinness sign is from the brewery in Ireland,  and the wood carving, the lantern, the hummingbird, the wooden journal and the pottery are all gifts.

I may not have gotten anything else done so far today, but it feels nice to have accomplished something!

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